SOUTH BOSTON,VA. - The countdown toward South Boston Speedway's 50th anniversary has almost reached its end.

South Boston Speedway will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend with two days of festivities and racing kicking off with a 50th Anniversary Reunion that will start Friday at 5 p.m.

Gates will open Friday at 5 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies will start at 7 p.m. and racing starts at 8 p.m.

Admission will be $5.

On Saturday night, South Boston Speedway will present its familiar program of NASCAR racing action with the 7 p.m. running of the Halifax County Tourism 150 Presented By Berry Hill Estate.

Gates will open at 5 p.m., qualifying time trials will start at 5:15 p.m. and the first race will start at 7 p.m.

South Boston Speedway's Early Bird Special $8 admission for adults will be in effect until 6:30 p.m. with admission being $10 after that. Youth ages 10-15 will be admitted for $5. Kids ages nine and under will be admitted free.

Friday night's 50th Anniversary Reunion will bring together a number of South Boston Speedway's past champions, competitors and racing personalities. Fans will want to be sure to bring their autograph books as an autograph session will be held with the past champions and competitors starting at 5 p.m.

Fans will also have an opportunity to purchase South Boston Speedway's official 50th anniversary book titled "South Boston Speedway: The First 50 Years."

The book of more than 140 pages contains many stories, a number of historical photos from South Boston Speedway's past and, of course, records and statistics.

Along with the reunion, fans will be treated to a special Champions Match Race featuring former South Boston Speedway champions Barry Beggarly, David Blankenship, Roy Hendrick and Wayne Patterson.

On Saturday night, NASCAR racing action resumes at South Boston Speedway with the running of the Halifax County Tourism 150 Presented By Berry Hill Estate.

Saturday night's action will feature a five-race program highlighted by a 150-lap race for the Barkhouser Late Model Stock Car Division. Races for the Limited Sportsman Division, the Budweiser Pure Stock Division, the regional touring Southern Vintage Modified Division and the Grand Stock Division are also slated.

For more information about the South Boston Speedway's 50th anniversary season, phone the speedway at 434-572-4947 or 1-877-440-1540.